West Rock Wake Park a ‘game-changer’ for southwest Rockford

ROCKFORD — A few hundred people lined the shores of Levings Lake on Friday to get a peek at southwest Rockford’s newest attraction.

A mix of local dignitaries, wakeboarders and curious spectators gathered to get a look at West Rock Wake Park, the region’s first cable wakeboard park. After quietly opening about a week ago, West Rock celebrated its official debut Friday to much fanfare.

The park features an electric-powered cable system suspended above water by on-shore towers that propel riders across the lake surface while holding a tow rope. It has two straight-line runs that span the width of the lake. On the water are a few obstacles and a kicker ramp that resembles a floating skate park.

The action-sports park is expected to draw visitors from around the Midwest, especially northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“Chicago’s been dying for this forever,” said Chicago native Frankie Panno, a professional kneeboarder who put on a display with huge airs, flips and spins off a kicker ramp in the lake. “It’s definitely a great thing for the community. You’re going to draw people from the city and all the surrounding areas.”

But you don’t need to be a pro to try it out. First-timers are able to quickly progress their skills because of the amount of time it allows riders on the water.

“It’s geared toward you. You can speed it up, slow it down, however you want to ride,” said Mike Forrest, a wakeboarder since the early 1990s who has joined West Rock’s staff.

Rockford natives Dan and Amy Jarrett were the driving force behind bringing the park to Rockford. Dan Jarrett, who has been skiing since age 5, hopes it provides an affordable way for those who don’t have access to a boat to learn the sport.

“Cable parks have been popping up all over the world, but my wife, Amy, and I made it our mission to bring this amazing sport and opportunity to Rockford,” said Jarrett, 34, the owner/operator. “I can’t wait to watch others enjoy this experience.”

The cable system takes up roughly 200 feet of shoreline, leaving plenty of space around the rest of the lake for paddle boating, fishing, swimming and other activities.

“It’s probably one of the most incredibly family-oriented things you can do,” Panno said. “You can picnic here, you can sit and watch people ride, you have a beach that you can swim on. This is a huge family environment.”

The added water movement should help oxygenate the water and improve fishing, Rockford Park District officials said. The electric motor that powers the cables is quiet, clean and energy efficient.

The estimated start-up cost for the park is $190,000, according to the Rockford Park District. The city of Rockford, Winnebago County and Rockford Park District contributed a combined $45,000 to help bring in the electricity needed at the location and prep the shoreline for cable equipment. West Rock Wake Park funded the remainder.

Levings Lake is a former part of the Levings family farm, which was donated to the Park District in 1920. It remained undeveloped until 1928, when the district decided to dam Kent Creek and create an artificial lake.

Forrest, the longtime wakerboarder, echoed the sentiments of many Friday when he said you don’t need to be interested in water sports to be excited about what the park can do for Rockford. He expects it to attract tourists, which should pave the way for new restaurants and business growth in southwest Rockford.

“It’s a game-changer for this area,” he said.

Kevin Haas: 815-987-1410; khaas@rrstar.com; @KevinMHaas

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